August 14, 2008

Rock Horror Picture Show Being Remade By Sky

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is to be remade, more than 30 years after the original version, which became one of the most popular musical movies of all time.

The time warp will be done again with the film's original executive producer, Lou Adler, Sky Movies confirmed.

The camp classic, which features a "sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania", is being revived in a partnership deal for Sky Movies in the UK and MTV in the United States.

The cast and director for the new version are yet to be confirmed but Adler and Gail Berman will executive produce the project, which will use the original screenplay by Jim Sharman and Richard O'Brien - a coproducer on the new version. The original Rocky Horror, released in 1975, starred Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, O'Brien, Barry Bostwick and Meatloaf.

Adler said: "The Rocky Horror phenomenon has a life of its own that has reincarnated itself in numerous ways since its birth.

"Our hope has always been that each new endeavour and rebirth will expose the Rocky Horror Experience to new audiences and expand the fan base.

"Those new fans and old alike will return to the original film to enjoy and participate with the exceptional and timeless performances of Tim Curry, Richard O'Brien, Susan Sarandon and the entire cast. So here we go again, with a new cast, believing that the Sky and MTV remake will add to the Rocky Horror phenomenon."

Under the terms of the deal the film will have its UK premiere exclusively on Sky Movies and will also be made available via Sky Player and Sky Anytime.

Sharman, who also directed the original film, also felt that after a run that has spanned four decades, the time was right for a new version.

"The original has some qualities that can't be reproduced," he said.

"It won't be the same, but a remake could have its own very different strengths and qualities."